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www.insidethebible.ca /gods-prescription-for-assembly-practice-acts-241-42/
Micah Hackett
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three
thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and
in prayers.
Acts is the second volume of Lukes two-part treatise to Theophilus on the beginnings of Christianity. The first book,
the gospel, spoke of Christs ministry and the foundation of the faith; now as we come to acts we see the apostolic
ministry and the function of the faith. It is a book filled with evangelism and gospel efforts. It is a book filled with
wonderful stories of conversion. But we would certainly be at a loss if we didnt realize this one point: from the very
beginning, God set the assembly to be the context of it all. Here in Acts 2, with Pentecost being the background, we
see the first real glimpse into assembly life in the early church. Of course, it is still a pattern not fully developed at
this point, but it brings to us the foundations on which the fuller revelation would build.
Candidates for Membership Who Is the Assembly For?
There are three main spheres of obedience that God demands in the life of an individual: salvation, baptism, and
fellowship in an assembly. Where there is salvation, there should be baptism in the near future. Where there is
baptism, there should be assembly fellowship in the near future. Because of Scriptures emphasis on these things, it
should be obvious that all are essential in the life of one who claims the name Christian. It is important that we
realize, too, that verse 41 presents a very logical progression that cant and shouldnt be improved upon. Notice that
salvation is dependent upon simply receiving his word, that is, the gospel message. It is not dependent upon
baptism; however, baptism is certainly dependent upon salvation. The same goes for being added to fellowship
with Gods people in assembly capacity. Salvation and baptism do not come after some sort of church observance;
but true membership in an assembly has salvation and baptism as prerequisites. This should be a great
encouragement for us, because it implies that part in the very house of God is not only for the spiritual elite, if there
existed such a concept. The assembly is a place of growth. It is a place of support. It is a place of learning. It is a
place of combined worship. We should be thankful that God offers these things to each one of us. But this then begs
the question, Where does my desire lie? Every one of the 3,000 saved at Pentecost was ready to associate with
Gods people and Gods pattern, and in that day such could have cost many their lives. Let us be thankful that God
invites us to His assembly; how will we respond to such an invitation?
Manner of Obedience
They continued steadfastly. These are the words used to describe fresh believers and their response to what God
called them to. So convicted were they of the truth of God, that they saw it as demanding full attention. It is no
wonder that they thought this way, since these were the same who gladly received his word. Some translations say
They persevered, while some say They devoted themselves, with others saying They gave constant
attention In all of these the point should be quite clear: these Christians gave their all to the assembly, because
they had a holy conviction that this was where God called them. We may know in our minds that God has called us,
but does this kind of devotion accompany that knowledge? Or has Christianity and assembly life simply become a
compartment that we give attention to at certain times of the day and of the week? Surely this passage should be a
rebuke to us if so: these believers had nowhere near the revelation we have concerning the local church, and yet
they by simple faith dubbed it worthy of full attention. How should any less be expected of us when we have Gods
complete pattern for His assembly? How, then, do we continue? Do we continue arbitrarily? Half-heatedly? When
convenient? Or do the things of God command our full attention in every circumstance, convenient or not?
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